UPDATE FROM NING CEO: JASON ROSENTHAL

Hi Everyone, (POSTED on Creators by Jason Rosenthal on April 16, 2010)

As many of you know, we made a decision yesterday to focus 100% of the company on enhancing the features and services we offer to paying Ning Creators. The tens of thousands of you who already use our paid service represent over 75% of our traffic, and we’ve heard repeatedly from you ways that we can deliver a killer service to help make your Ning Network more effective. Some examples of things we are working on that you’ve asked for include new APIs, a new mobile experience and new advertising and revenue opportunities.

As part of this change, we’ll be phasing out our free service. On May 4, 2010, we will share with you all of the details of our new offering, including features and price points, through a series of blog posts, emails, and conference calls. We recognize that there are many active Ning Networks for teachers, small non-profits, and individuals and it's our goal to have a set of product and pricing options that will make sense for all of them. For Ning Creators using our free service who choose to move to another service, we will off a migration path and time to make that change. We will still continue to allow free trials and test networks on the Ning Platform.

I have crated a site on socialgo, it has changed but to do the things I want to do I would have to pay for at present I am thinking its what I have to do, pay for extra services but because ning have back tracked on promises to keep a free service. I certainly will not go premium with them, its all to do with lack of trust.

Hey Sandra Smith-Doghmi!
Thank you for your kind words and support, made my night! I wish there was something I could really do to help everyone's feelings, and situations. All I know to do is give them a place to vent and help each other.

I want everyone to land on their feet, and in the upright position.
:-)
Best,
Jen

Join a class action, your lawyer will have a list of class actions going on. I am fairly sure the ning terms we agreed to will not allow them to take back something they have given for free. Even if they give us a years notice.

it was lawful everyone would be using it as a business method.

Imagine this, Some business which must adhere to the business laws, are giving you a website for free. you can add friends and photos videos long blogs with content and links. your free site will grow in value to you.

Then when it has grown and you love it, they will change their mind and say "We are sorry we have to make some changes around here. you have to pay for that website we gave you for nothing.

Laws made to protect the public consumer and it forbids this kind of deceitful business practice because it is classed as unconscionable conduct. That never stopped a business from relying on consumer ignorance. Ning will be sued for millions the new CEO will be sacked or demoted and a lot of staff who walked out the other day will return to the ning they loved.

Just checked out socialgo and we can only send out 350 emails. Not going to work for me. Maybe we should group together and figure out an alternative. I loved Ning while it lasted, it saved my company from a possible collapse in this economy mess. In every dark cloud there is a software lining, perhaps this could help us find a "facebook", etc. start-up program to make us rich!!! Jen you are a real gal, enjoy you. You get on the ball right away with situations, I liked that.

I have just created a site on Wackwall.com, they are in a beta stage at present, I found some bugs but its not so bad. They have no option for groups. Can categorizes the forum at present hopefully the new release will have many more options. Generally speaking as a site for nine dog society its fine, they say they are building a transfer system to get files etc off of ning sites. within a week or so.

Ning of course is telling pork pies concerning 75% of their traffic more than likely its about 15%.

I have evaluated socialgo in the past and at that time ning out shined them, but I expect when I do an evaluation today it may be the opposite. Wackwall in my consideration will develop into something great given time but its no good at present as a platform for a citizens journalist site my pet project at the moment. I think I have to use plan B and program my own software.

Ning is a pain in the rear end, who the hell can trust them after this fiasco?

Lakrush Hearts, Erica, and Venus Over Pan,
Thank you for your kind words, much appreciated. I'm working hard to come up with a plan, so we can all stay together on this site, regardless of the Social Networking platform you decide to use. Stay tuned for details.
Love to you all,
Jen